ceiling is no big deal, that we could raise the debt ceiling only if we cut government spending as well. but where were they during those years? those very difficult or years? and incidentally, aye compile -- i've compiled the voting records on the debt increases that president bush requested during those years. and i hope, mr. chairman, i could insert them into the record. >> without objection. >> thank you. many senior members of this committee routinely voted to raise the debt ceiling during those years even though the money for the tax cuts and the wars was put on emergency basis for the purpose of hiding the costs. so i'm pleased that we're coming around to a more reasonable position today, and i hope that we're going to find a common path forward on many of these issues. mr. johnson, you state in your testimony that low unemployment depresses tax revenue, and this is the mayor reason for -- major reason for our current deficits and why they're so large. once the economy recovers fully and the unemployment rate is lowered, it certainly will take some of the pressure off of these di